Downing: I feel at home
Stewart Downing believes the camaraderie in the Liverpool dressing room has been a key factor behind their encouraging start to 2011-12.
The Reds recruited seven new signings over the summer, all of whom have made a quick adjustment into life at the club playing a part in helping the team collect 13 points from their opening seven matches in the Barclays Premier League.
And Downing, who moved to Merseyside from Aston Villa in July, is pleased with the manner in which the squad has knitted together.
He told LFC Magazine: "It's a big part of football. If teammates aren't getting on, then you don't tend to do well.
"If you all do get on, then that can only help you when you step on the field. The boss is into it big and the players have been out for a few meals together.
"We're still a relatively new group. Some of the lads like Stevie and Carra have been here since day one. A few others like Pepe and Dirk have been here a couple of years, then there's quite a few of us who have only arrived recently. There's a good mix."
He added: "There has been a bit of dressing room banter. And as the weeks go by and we all get to know each other better, there is more and more.
"I knew a few of the lads already from the England setup so I was lucky in that sense. Some of the other lads didn't know too many people, such as Jordan (Henderson).
"But I think gradually we're all getting to know each other and develop a team spirit. It's good and should continue to get better."
Despite only having been at the club for a matter of weeks, Downing insists he already feels at home at Anfield - in no small part due to the warm welcome he's received since arriving.
"I've only been at the club a couple of weeks but it seems longer because I settled in so quickly," he said.
"It was easy to feel at home here with the lads. It's a good club with good people. There is a good group of players and they've all helped me."